Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 1

The GTPDD office is centrally located in

Oktibbeha County in the Starkville

Industrial Park.

Pictured above from left to right,

Monica Cummings-C2C Instructor.

Byron, & Mitzi Lawrence-WIOA

Programs Director.

From the Director. . .

Every now and then a person passes through

life who makes you a better person. The latest that

has been sent our way is “Byron”. The WIOA staff

at Golden Triangle Planning & Development

District works with youth 16 to 24 years of age who

are out of school and needing assistance in either

continuing their education or finding employment.

In August, Byron came to our office to

apply to the WIOA Counseling to Career Program.

Byron was 24 years of age, dropped out of school in

the 9th grade, and readily admitted that he had made

some bad choices that led to bad circumstances. He

was currently living with his brother and had come

to realize that he needed to get focused and start

moving in a positive direction. After talking with

Byron, we felt that he was a perfect fit for our

program but there was one major problem. Byron

did not have a birth certificate or picture ID; both

are required for WIOA program participation. With

staff assistance and

personal deter-

mination, Byron

applied for his birth

certificate, got his

picture ID, and

enrolled in the C2C

program.

The C2C

program consists of

personal counsel-

ing, 8 sessions of

work ethics train-

ing, on the job

Rupert L. “Rudy” Johnson

Executive Director

In This Issue

FROM THE DIRECTOR

AGING

LOANS

Featured Business

MEDICAID WAIVER

PLANNING

Housing News

MDA Approves CDBG

Need a Building?

GT Industrial Park

WIA

GT PHARMACY

AGING & SR. ENRICHMENT

GTPDD Anniversaries

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 2

work experience, and follow-up support. The first

day of work ethics training brought concern. Class

started at 8:30 a.m. and everyone was there, except

Byron. About 20 minutes into class Byron arrived.

See, Byron’s problem was that he had NO means of

transportation. He had tried to ride the city bus but

the route did not bring him to our building, so he

had walked the rest of the way. At that time we

realized that Byron was serious about this

opportunity and several times throughout the

training he stated, “I can’t mess up this

opportunity!” The staff worked with him to resolve

his transportation issues. Byron became such a

positive, motivational force in the classroom. He

attended all sessions, actively participated in class

discussions, and always kept a smile on his face. He

successfully completed work ethics training

September 24th and began his paid work experience

Monday, October 4th. There was only one problem;

a problem that Byron could not solve on his own.

He still had no reliable source of transportation. He

assured the staff that he did have transportation---

his feet. Even though he lived about 2 ½ miles

from his worksite he said, “That’s no problem. I

can walk to get to work.”

Rudy Johnson, Executive Director of

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District,

(pictured on left

with Byron), had

noticed Byron

during the course

of the program.

He had observed

his walking to

class, noticed his

positive attitude,

recognized his

self-determina-

tion, and realized

that the lack of

transportation

was Byron’s biggest barrier to success. As a result,

Rudy counseled with him about his job opportunity,

commended him on program accomplishments, and,

more importantly, lessened his transportation barrier

by purchasing him a bike, helmet and security lock.

While others may make excuses for not

attending class or doing what is expected of them,

Byron finds a way. Hard work and determination do

not go unnoticed! Congratulations, Byron, on your

new job! The WIOA staff and Rudy are watching

you with great expectations.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG,

MEDICARE PART D

OPEN ENROLLMENT 2015

Medicare Prescription Drug enrollment ended on

December 7, 2015. During this 53-day period, the

SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) served 1444

clients in (1) assisting with drug plan costs/benefits

comparison for 2016, and (2) enrollment into Part D

drug benefits.

Although 2015 Open Enrollment is over, many

individuals still qualify to enroll in Medicare Part D

during the year. These include:

---Those who are aging into Medicare eligibility;

--Anyone losing employer sponsored insurance

coverage; and

--Those qualifying for any type of financial

assistance, such as Medicaid or Social Security

Extra Help.

Additionally, those who are moving in or out of a

long term or rehab facility also qualify to (1) make

changes in Part D benefits, or (2) enroll in coverage

for the first time.

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 3

As an elementary child growing up in

the projects, I never envisioned myself as an owner of my own business, but I knew that

my life had to accomplish more than my surroundings. I began working as a young child

by babysitting, as many young girls do. Even though the compensation was meager, it

taught me work ethics, responsibility, and dependability. I remember on many occasions

when I had promised my aunt that I would babysit and then changed my mind, she would

come and find me, pull me away from my much enjoyed activity, and make me commit to

my obligation. I disliked it, yet respected her authority. At that time I did not realize that she was teaching me a valued

lesson of being responsible and dependable. I hope my aunt reads this article, because as of today I have never thanked

her properly. Years passed from my babysitting adventures and I landed my first summer job at Columbus Parks and

Recreations, a desk job where responsibilities were filing papers and answering the telephone. This job allowed me to

dress-up for work and I learned proper telephone etiquette, and patience and tolerance when dealing with the public. This

life experience has helped me to acquire clients today. I have to thank my math teacher, Mrs. Boyd, who taught me love

and appreciation for numbers and basic math. The math competitive games we played led to my ability to understand the

principles of money and banking; I became good with numbers, another skill learned in my youth, which has helped me

become a productive adult.

My secondary schooling went by unremarkably. I went through high school participating in community service

works and I was a member of a high school youth group. I worked my share of jobs at the various fast food restaurants

and landed a job at the cash register quickly and was trusted to close frequently at nights. During a particular summer

youth job, one of my co-workers of equal age as I began to talk to me about savings and checking accounts. I saw that she

always saved a portion of her check and did not spend all of her earnings as I had begun to do. I began to emulate her and

soon I was learning to save and allowing my money to grow, with the interest earned. From my savings and many

weekends of working, I purchased my first car as a senior in high school!

Post high school graduation, I had learned many lessons in life but I knew that

my lessons needed validation; therefore, I entered EMCC and received an Associates of

Science degree in Banking and Finance, then attended MS University for Women in

1997. This landed my first grownup job at First Columbus National Bank in 1999.

Employed as a teller for two years, I then was promoted to Head Teller. First

Columbus was bought by AmSouth and absorbed by Regions and I was down-sized out

the door. It was 2007 and little did I realize that it would be tough finding a job with

benefits.

I knew three things about myself: I knew money, hard work, and that I loved to

help people. I prayed. I then cashed out my 401K and received a financial blessing from the aunt who taught me to be

dependable and responsible, and hit the floor running! I have never looked back! Yes, there were tears, restless nights and

many hours of prayers, yet I believed in myself and my ability to succeed because at that time failure was not an option.

I have purchased my own building in Columbus and I have a business in Macon. I have three employees and

many clients. I know that those early life lessons have helped prepare me for my business. If I could start over again, I

would not change anything. All my past experiences, the good and the bad, developed me into the person I am today, a

business owner!

Submitted by Kegdra C. Gray

Tax Season Is Starting Again

Let us prepare your 2015 taxes. Bring family or friend for a referral bonus!

Macon: 662-726-9333 Columbus: 662-240-9888 307 South Jefferson St 1510 Gardner Blvd

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 4

The Medicaid Waiver Case Managers Celebrate Christmas!

To celebrate this joyous time of year, the GTPDD sponsors the provision of Christmas gifts to Medicaid Waiver clients. Food, warm clothes, blankets, toiletries, and household items are among the gifts purchased, wrapped and boxed for delivery to the clients. As many recipients do not have family or friends to share with them, Case Managers are their only Santa Claus.

The general consensus among the Case Manager Christmas elves is "Words hardly describe the rewarding feelings of joy we experience looking into the faces of the clients when we deliver their gifts.

Seeing the eyes sparkle, the tears of joy, the words of appreciation - this is what Christmas is all about! WE are the ones who receive a gift, from them!"

The Medicaid Waiver Program continues to serve over 1,400 clients in the Golden Triangle area. This program includes: personal care services, in-home respite services, adult daycare, expanded home health visits, and home-delivered meals. All costs for services are reimbursable to an approved provider and all services must be approved by the Division of Medicaid. If you know of anyone who may need this service, please call 662-324-7860, option 3.

Michelle Harris is the RN Supervisor for the Medicaid Waiver Program. Current Case Management team members are:

Choctaw Clay Lowndes #1 Tina Gill, RN Mitzi Phelps, RN Brandy Clark, RN Rachel Embry, LSW Stephanie Cannon, LSW Audie Strain, LSW

Lowndes #2 Lowndes #3 Lowndes #4 Cindy Reese, RN Lindsey Marsh, RN Christy Massey, RN

Angelia Sansing, LSW Lynn Herndon, LSW

Noxubee #1 Noxubee #2 Oktibbeha #1 Jana Peterson, RN Tammy Castle, RN Tina McWhorter, RN Jessica Spears, LSW Jennifer Bridges, LSW Suzy Winstead, LSW

Oktibbeha #2 Oktibbeha #3 Oktibbeha #4 Stacy Elkins, RN Helen Smith, RN Amanda McCrary, RN Jennifer Grantham, LSW Beverly Baker, LSW Leah Hill, LSW

Webster Winston Lynette Hunt, RN Kim Mills, RN Lesa Wilson, LSW Lauren Smith, LSW

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 5

Housing Update…..

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors recently completed its 2012 HOME Project. The grant provided

an opportunity for four homeowners in Oktibbeha County to receive a new home. The homes replaced

dilapidated residences that were unsafe for the families that were residing in them. With the completion of this

project, Oktibbeha County will be eligible to apply for future funding, as it becomes available.

Looks can be deceiving! The shelf in the picture is not broken; foundation

problems caused the furniture to tilt.

District 3 Supervisor, Marvell Howard, passes the keys to

Ms. Alberta Turner, Homeowner.

Before & After…….

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 6

Home #2

Home #3

Home #4

Before & After…….

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 7

HOME Program News

The Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) will hold a 2nd Public Meeting to obtain input on Amendments to

the Five Year Consolidated Plan and 2015 One Year Action Plan relative to only the following HUD funded

programs: HOME, ESG and HOPWA. The amendments can be found on the MHC website

https://www.mshomecorp.com/amendments.

The Public Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Mississippi Home

Corporation, 735 Riverside Drive, Jackson, Mississippi 39202. Citizens, local officials, non-profit

organizations, for-profit organizations, developers, and community groups are invited to attend. The location

for this hearing is an accessible facility. If a translator is needed for non-English speaking or hearing impaired

persons, please contact Dana Jones at 601-718-4642 by December 22, 2015 in an effort to accommodate the

request.

The comment period has been extended to January 29, 2016. All comments are welcome and must be

submitted in writing to: Mississippi Home Corporation, Attn: Dana Jones, 735 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS

39202 or by email to amendments@mshc.com.

Mississippi Development Authority Approves CDBG Public Facility Applications

Governor Phil Bryant recently announced that the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) has approved

FY2015 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public

Facilities projects. The following applications prepared by Golden Triangle Planning and Development District

staff received funding:

CDBG Other TOTAL

Town of Shuqualak Sewer Improvements $449,968 $ ------ $449,968

City of West Point ADA Improvements $100,000 $79,000 $179,000

TOTAL $549,968 $79,000 $628,968

MDA received 30 applications in the Regular Public Facilities competition requesting $11,863,943 from an

allocation of $5,000,000. The Small Government category received 97 applications, with a total request of

$37,484,216 from an allocation of $6,291,271. It is not too early to begin planning for 2016 ARC and CDBG

Public Facilities applications. Please contact Phylis Benson, George Crawford or Spencer Broocks at (662)

324-7860.

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 8

Need a new public building?

Did you know that Golden Triangle Planning & Development District can help you? Golden Triangle Public

Building Leasing Corporation was created as a way for local units of government to construct new public

buildings, without having to issue bonds. This program will build, and hold title to, a public building, and allow

the governmental unit to lease the building back over a certain number of years. Once the lease is up, the local

unit of government owns the facility. This option does not require the issuance of bonds by the governing

board; as a result, the bonded indebtedness of the City or County does not increase. This public-private

partnership is a way to make dreams become reality…..Just ask the City of Starkville!

Community Development Block Grant to Benefit Mississippi Steel Processing

in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park has been Completed

The Mississippi Steel Processing (MSP) facility was the beneficiary of Economic

Development CDBG funding. Phase Two of the construction of a concrete loading pad

has been completed as seen above. With the completion of the loading pad, the

$1,200,000 CDBG project is finished and is in use. Along with the completion of the

construction, Mississippi Steel Processing invested over $6,000,000 in corporate funding

and will create a total of forty (40) new jobs for the area. The total project consisted of

the construction of a new access road, rail extension to the

facility and the loading pad. Mississippi Steel Processing, LLC

is in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park in Lowndes County

and occupies a site that is just east of Airport Road and adjacent to the current site of

the Steel Dynamics, Inc. steel mill.

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 9

WORKFORCE INNOVATION & OPPORTUNITY ACT NEWS Most readers are familiar with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program

but the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Program may be new to

some. Beginning July, the old Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program

ceased to be and the Workforce Investment & Opportunity Act came into

existence. The program continues to serve youth in Choctaw, Oktibbeha,

Webster and Winston counties and provides funding for the already existing

Counseling to Career Program.

Many of the eligibility rules and regulations remain the same, but there were

several changes that will make the program accessible to more young people.

Some of the major changes are:

Out-of-school youth ages 16 – 24 years of age may be served;

Youth who are pregnant or parenting, a high school drop-out, homeless or a run away, foster

child, disabled, or subject to the juvenile or adult justice system automatically qualify for

program participation no matter their income level;

Participating youth will be given the WorkKeys test, which normally cost $50 at an educational

institution, for free; and

CPR training/certification has been added.

The Golden Triangle WIOA staff have been busy recruiting new participants who, once proved WIOA eligible, receive

approximately twenty-four (24) hours of work ethics training prior to being placed on a job site. On the worksite they are

given the opportunity to practice the skills learned in training and to prove themselves viable employees. During work

experience, salaries and workers’ comp insurance are paid through federal WIOA funds. Upon completion of WIOA

work hours, either the participant is hired by the interning company or the WIOA staff will help with an individual job

search.

As mentioned above, participants are also given the opportunity to take the WorkKeys test at no charge. The WorkKeys

test is a pre-requisite for being considered for hire in many local industries or for entering technical training at the

community colleges. The test normally costs $50 but it is free for WIOA participants who complete the 24 hours of work

ethics training.

WIOA staff report the participation of 49 youth at the end of December, 47 of whom have completed the required 24

hours of Work Ethics Training. Twenty-two (22) of these have completed their work site assignments; 2 secured jobs on

their own using skills taught in training; and 1 enrolled in the Job Corps. The remaining twenty-four (24) are scheduled to

start their job assignments in early January.

Monies are available for 34 motivated, energetic, dedicated-to succeed youth to participate in this innovative opportunity.

Remember, they must be 24 years of age or younger, not attending school, and living in Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Webster or

Winston counties.

If you know youth residing in one of these counties who needs job skills training, work experience or assistance to

continue education, tell them about the WIOA Counseling to Career Program. They may call:

Choctaw & Winston: Teresa Shumaker 662-324-7860 Ext. 1125

Oktibbeha & Webster: Monica Cummings 662-324-7860 Ext. 1115

WIOA Programs Director: Mitzi Lawrence 662-324-7860 Ext. 1128

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 10

Dear to the GTPDD are the programs for senior citizens in our area—nutritious

meals, prescription delivery, personal care services, housekeeping chores, prescription delivery, transportation,

insurance counseling, case management, and did I mention prescription delivery?

I am thinking I need to remind the GTPDD community about our Pharmacy program and medication delivery

right to your door!

ANYONE residing in our 7-County service area is eligible for this service; it is available to any age group.

“Yes, we deliver.” I’ll bet you have not heard that from a druggist in the past 50 years, but you are hearing it

from me.

**Our in-house, closed door (meaning ‘delivery only’) Pharmacy is set up to

fill your prescriptions and deliver them to your home every 28 days.

Medication is contained in cellophane strips, one strip for each day’s dosage.

**To get on this 28-day rotation, a Technician will need to discuss with you (at

your home) a list of your medications, doctors, other health professionals, and

insurance providers.

**After your initial interview, the Technician will confer with your doctors

and then will leave a week’s supply of medication for you in a pillbox. The remainder of the prescription will

be prepackaged in daily doses for delivery on the 28-day schedule.

**Co-pays are accepted in the form of cash, personal check, money order, or most credit cards; payment is due

at the time of delivery.

Readers, please spread the word about our Pharmacy and delivery of prescriptions. For more information about

the Pharmacy, you may call 662-320-2011, or email at pharmhit@gtpdd.com. Santa

needs all the help he can get from you!

On behalf of the people we serve, thank you all for

supporting our endeavors to allow senior citizens to

remain in their homes where they are happier and

healthier.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pictured: Tiffany Gilliland, Technician Anna Lancaster, Pharmacist

Andrea Scott, Technician

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 11

Wikipedia defines New Year’s Resolution as a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or

something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year’s Day.

The staff of the Golden Triangle Area Agency on Aging conducted a public meeting at the senior

enrichment center in Columbus. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the services that the

AAA provides to senior adults to assist them in leading independent lives in their own homes and

communities, and to get input from seniors as to the services that are needed the most.

The seniors in attendance completed a survey, ranking services according to their importance, and

also listed other services that are needed. Many of the seniors expressed concern about the numbers

on the waiting lists for services and wondered when they might expect to be served. They expressed

appreciation for the opportunity to make their concerns known and hoped that additional funding

could be made available so that more people could be served, especially those on the waiting lists.

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc.

Volume 4, No. 15 Page 12

Golden Triangle Planning & Development District, Inc. Post Office Box 828 Starkville, MS 39760

PDD RETIREMENT Thanks, Mary Lee, for 7 years of loyalty and service to the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, Homemaker Department. You will be greatly

OCTOBER NOVEMBER

Dave Alexander 07 years Beverly Baker 12 years Melody Bensend 17 years Alicia Barry 14 years Cindy Brown 06 years Mary Byron 14 years Nora Carroll 17 years Glenda Fason 08 years Linda Crumble 06 years Shirley Forrester 06 years Lisa Doane 06 years Jessica Foxx 15 years Lula Eiland 17 years Beatrice Logan 14 years Martie Gibson 16 years Michelle Milner 11 years Willer Glenn 10 years Elberta Phillips 23 years Janie Harris 17 years Minnie Hodge 05 years DECEMBER Betty Hunt 17 years Jackie Byas 08 years Aldean Ivy 17 years Hazel Cunningham 07 years Charlene Jones 10 years Rachel Embrey 07 years Hardie Jordan 17 years Tonga Gillespie 14 years Joyce Lampkin 17 years Joanne Peterson 22 years Annie Sanders 17 years Sharon Seals 05 years Lauren Smith 15 years

Staff Anniversaries Staff members that have served

at least 5 years at the GTPDD.